Towing Calculators
GVWR, GCWR and axle weights.
Enter your loaded, hitched scale readings and your ratings, and see which limits you are under: each axle against its GAWR, the total against the GVWR and the whole combination against the GCWR. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Inputs
Result
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Check three separate limits: each axle against its GAWR, the vehicle total (the sum of its axle weights) against the GVWR, and the truck plus trailer axle weights against the GCWR. The front and rear GAWRs added together always exceed the GVWR, so passing one check does not pass the others.
Worked example
Axles read 3,400 + 3,900 = 7,300 lb against a 7,500 lb GVWR (200 lb under). Front is 400 lb under its 3,800 GAWR and rear 300 lb under its 4,200 GAWR. With 7,000 lb on the trailer axles the combination is 14,300 lb against a 15,000 lb GCWR, 700 lb under.
How it works
GVW = front axle weight + rear axle weight; combination weight = GVW + trailer axle weight. The GAWR is the most an axle is designed to carry, the GVWR the most the vehicle is designed to carry, and the GCWR the most the truck and trailer may weigh together. Weigh the rig loaded for travel, hitched and with a full fuel tank, at a public scale that reads each axle group.
The weight on each axle changes with where items are stored and with tongue weight, so a truck can be under its GVWR but over its rear GAWR. Alberta Transportation recommends not exceeding any of the three ratings. The guide's worked examples (GVWR 2,800 kg overloaded by 1,100 kg; a second unit within all ratings) are reproduced in this tool's tests.
Sources opened 2026-10-16: Alberta Transportation, Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide (GAWR, GVWR, GCWR, GVW definitions and worked examples). Planning aid only, not professional, engineering or safety advice. Your vehicle, trailer, hitch and boat manuals and the weight labels on your equipment come first; when in doubt, weigh it at a public scale or ask a qualified professional.
FAQ
What is the difference between GVWR, GAWR and GCWR?
GVWR is the most a vehicle is designed to carry in total, GAWR is the most one axle is designed to carry, and GCWR is the most the truck and trailer can weigh together.
Can I be under GVWR but over GAWR?
Yes. The weight on an axle depends on where items are stored and on the tongue weight, so one axle can exceed its rating while the total is within the GVWR.
Do the front and rear GAWR add up to the GVWR?
No. The front and rear GAWRs added together will always be greater than the GVWR, so all three ratings must be checked separately.
How do I weigh my truck and trailer?
Use a public scale with separate platforms for each axle group. Weigh the loaded, hitched rig, then compare each reading with the labels. Weighing again with the trailer unhitched gives the tongue weight by subtraction.
What should I do if I am over a rating?
Move or remove weight. Springs, air bags and other add-ons do not raise the manufacturer's ratings.